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City of Oshkosh Recreational Burning

Recreational fires are prohibited in the City of Oshkosh without a valid permit. A recreational fire permit is required to be purchased before any burning. Outdoor cooking is allowed without a permit using approved devices such as grills and smokers.

The City of Oshkosh will allow citizens to have recreational fires at single-family and two-family dwellings provided that such fires are in strict compliance with restrictions relating to recreational fires. The City of Oshkosh Fire Department will enforce these restrictions to ensure that fires do not compromise safety or cause neighborhood concerns.

Permits can be processed online or in-person at City Hall - Collection, 215 Church Ave. There is no cost for the permit and it's good for one calendar year from January 1 to December 31. You must obtain a permit every calendar year.

The burn permit shall allow burning only under prescribed conditions. The permit shall in no way relieve an individual from potential personal liability. Any person responsible for the existence or spread of fire shall be liable for the payments of costs incurred.

Burning hours are Sunday-Thursday 11 am to 10 pm and Friday and Saturday 11 am to 12 am

Rules for Outdoor Burning

  • Permits shall be available to the City of Fire Department personnel upon request. If the permit is not available, the fire will be extinguished immediately.
  • Permits are non-transferable.
  • The outdoor fireplace shall be an assembly that includes a bowl for holding the wood, screen sides, and a cover to contain the embers/sparks, and supports to assure clearances to combustibles. Maximum fireplace size is 36” in diameter or 7 sq. ft. unless otherwise approved.
  • Recreational fires must be attended at all times by at least one responsible person of 18 years or older.
  • A method of extinguishment shall be readily available, such as a garden hose, a five gallon bucket of water or a fire extinguisher with a minimum 4A rating.
  • The fire shall be completely extinguished before leaving the fireplace unsupervised.
  • The fireplace cannot be used within 15 feet of buildings, combustibles, or lot lines.
  • Only dry wood is to be burned.
  • The burning of trash, garbage, building construction materials, or other waste is prohibited.
  • No recreational fire shall be started when wind direction or speed will cause embers or other burning material to be carried onto any building or combustible material.
  • Burning shall not produce smoke that causes a public nuisance.
  • The City of Oshkosh Fire Department reserves the right to extinguish the fire for any reason deemed necessary.

LOSS OF PRIVILEGES AND/OR FINES MAY RESULT BY NOT FOLLOWING THE GUIDELINES

When Burning, Be Considerate of your Neighbors

If you have not received your burn permit within 5 business days of your permit application submittal please call 920-236-5240 for more information.

If an email address isn't provided the burn permit will be mailed by USPS and take longer to receive.